happen (third-person singular simple present happens, present participle happening, simple past and past participle happened) (intransitive) To occur or take place. What is a basic definition of happen? Happen means to occur, to come to pass by chance, or to befall someone or something. Happen has several other senses as a verb. Happen is a very general word that simply means to occur or take place. For example, the assassination of President Abraham Lincoln happened on April 15, 1865. 1. to take place; come to pass; occur. 2. to come to pass by chance; occur without apparent reason or design. 3. to have the fortune or lot (to do or be as specified); chance: I happened to see him on the street. 4. to befall, as to a person or thing: Don't worry; nothing happened to her. Our curated events bring together the best radio programmers, label and streaming executives, culture-tastemakers, artists, and brands, inspiring new ideas in the ever-evolving music community. If a situation or event happens to someone or something, it has an effect on that person or thing: HAPPEN definition: 1. (of a situation or an event) to have existence or come into existence: 2. If something happens…. Learn more. verb happen, occur, or be the case in the course of events or by chance “It happens that today is my birthday” synonyms: bechance, befall see more “Happenes” is a misspelling of the word “happens”. You should not use “happenes” in English. We use “Happens” with the third person singular for the verb “to happen”. Happen” is a strange verb because we do not usually use “happen” with human subjects. HAPPENS definition: present tense form of happen (3rd person singular). See examples of happens used in a sentence. The meaning of HAPPEN is to occur by chance —often used with it. How to use happen in a sentence.